Latest at the top:
March 10
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Arms exports to the Middle East progress, France 3rd world exporter and major exporter to what was called previously the Third World. fr24news.com/u/2020/03/arms
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Saudi Arabia increases world arms purchases despite Yemen crisis, the London Times headlines. But remarkably also despite all arms control regimes established since mid-nineties (EU-code, ATT etc.) I may add.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/saudi-arabia-increases-world-arms-purchases-despite-yemen-crisis-x6psz2tth
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Research by Mark Curtis revealed consistent examples of “under- or un-reported” #UK foreign policy issues – particularly in the Middle East. This frequently occurs in countries where the UK has significant “military, trade & investment” deals with regimes.https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2020/03/09/heres-how-the-uk-press-is-deceiving-us-about-our-brutal-foreign-policy/
March 9
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Belgian court suspends arms export licence for weapons to Saudi Arabia raadvst-consetat.be/?page=news&lan
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Belangrijke overwinning: Raad van State schorst vergunningen voor wapenuitvoer naar Saudi-Arabië! Dit arrest maakt duidelijk dat de overheid economische & politieke belangen niet mag laten primeren op het internationaal recht en de mensenrechten. https://www.knack.be/nieuws/belgie/raad-van-state-schorst-vergunningen-voor-wapenuitvoer-naar-saudi-arabie/article-news-1574085.html?cookie_check=1583836125
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Export of #Dutch military communication equipment for end destination #Qatar, valued € 8.525.000. They will be delivered to #Ficantieri, (https://navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/naval-exhibitions/2018/dimdex-2018/6044-dimdex-2018-fincantieri-unveils-qatari-navy-air-defense-corvette-design.html) where they will be installed at #naval patrol vessels, corvettes & a Landing Platform Dock. rijksoverheid.nl/binaries/rijks
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Dutch #arms#export policy on #Turkey stays restrictive as decided (25/11/19) after the Turkish invasion into Northern Syria. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/kamerstukken/2020/03/09/kamerbrief-inzake-toetsing-aangescherpt-wapenexportbeleid-turkije
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British Arms Sales Aiding Repression in Chile. In light of the continued repression and crackdown in the country, the UK government must end arms sales to Chile https://bylinetimes.com/2020/03/09/british-arms-sales-aiding-repression-in-chile/
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Latest diesel-electric attack submarine Ouryu into Japanes service home based in port of Kure. It is the 6th Soryu-class boat to be built by #Mitsubishi Heavy Industries #MHI, with #Kawasaki Heavy #Industries. #Japan. https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2020/03/06/japan-commissions-its-first-submarine-running-on-lithium-ion-batteries/
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Dutch Royals to sell warships in Indonesia. Major part of Indonesian navy is build on Dutch vessels and/or tech. Royal Pair refused so far to visit RI August, 17th (independence declared 17/8/45. Nl accepted it after War of independence finally 27/12/49) https://en.antaranews.com/news/143130/indonesia-should-not-ignore-netherlands-in-warship-procurement
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#GKN (#Dutch#Fokker is part of) expects defence could become a more significant part of the sales mix as rising global military spending underpins demand. https://www.investorschronicle.co.uk/tips-ideas/2020/03/06/melrose-s-gkn-transformation-pays-off/
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Brazilian and US governments signed on Sunday an agreement for development of defence projects that may give #Brazil access to financing. Companies may request financing from the #US defense research fund and brings it more under US dominance. #Huawei#5G https://www.brecorder.com/2020/03/09/578247/brazil-us-sign-agreement-to-develop-defence-technology-brazil/
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Its just a empty call, but it tells about #Indian government. Indian Defence minister asked for more participation of the private sector in defence tech to realise India as a $5 trillion economy by 2024. Military investments are about power, not economy. https://orissadiary.com/5-trillion-economy-target-can-be-achieved-through-increased-private-sector-participation-in-defence-manufacturing-says-defense-minister-rajnath-singh/
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Qatar hosts “Impregnable Guard 2020,” a military exercise that seeks to strengthen military cooperation between #Morocco, Jordan, #Turkey, Pakistan, Oman, US, #France, and Rwanda etc. The exercise is also part of the preparations 4 World Cup #qatar2022 https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/03/295369/morocco-to-participate-in-impregnable-guard-2020-exercise-in-qatar/
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Scottish Enterprise funded radar tech marketed to world's cruelest regimes The Osprey 30 is used in military helicopters, calling into question claims by the Scottish Government that it only awards grants to arms firms to make non-military products.
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scottish-enterprise-funded-radar-tech-21652477
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Main arms exporters: 4 EU countries among ten largest. 8 EU countries among 25 largest. sipri.org/sites/default/
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Who were the five largest arms importers in 2015–19? 1) Saudi Arabia
2) India
3) Egypt
4) Australia
5) China
Together, they received 36% of all arms imports in 2015–19. Read more about the trends in international #ArmsTransfers https://www.sipri.org/publications/2020/sipri-fact-sheets/trends-international-arms-transfers-2019
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US major arms exports have increased 23% over the last 5 years, according to a new report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's 2019 arms transfers report #SIPRI.
https://www.newsweek.com/us-increased-major-arms-exports-23-percent-five-years-report-sipri-1490896
March 8
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The #French government is set to veto the proposed sale of #Photonis to US engineering firm #Teledyne Technologies Inc, motivated by a decision to prevent a foreign buyer from acquiring a business of such sovereign importance #Optech#ImageIntensifiers https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/vente-de-photonis-l-etat-francais-met-son-veto-a-l-americain-teledyne-841220.html
March 7
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What is that Saudi RoRo vessel doing in the harbour of Sagunto (near Valencia)?
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'The capacity to launch drone strikes is hardly limited to superpowers. Turkey’s drone program has developed several armed drones that are rough analogs to American-operated models.'https://www.c4isrnet.com/unmanned/2020/03/04/turkeys-drones-are-battle-tested-and-ready-for-export/
The engine is based on Thielert Centurion engine. Knowledge came from China and Germany. tapatalk.com/groups/worldar
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THE LIBYAN CONUNDRUM, a short overview of European and UN policy on the country, split by political opponents and pestered with violence. https://ipisresearch.be/publication/arms-trade-bulletin-january-february-2020/
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Centre Delàs d'Estudis per la Pau report on the annual meeting of #ENAAT (the European network against the arms trade) that took place in Amsterdam on the 27th and 28th of February. #Yemen#GCOMS#BAHRI-ships http://www.centredelas.org/en/press/news/4247-the-delas-centre-participates-in-the-annual-meeting-of-the-european-network-against-the-arms-trade-enaat
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#Coronavirus crisis will ultimately strengthen Xi Jinping and Chinese Communist Party #CCP despite economic turmoil, US analysts say ‘The state expands to deal with the crisis and then remains at a new expanded level even after the crisis fades away’ https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3071170/coronavirus-will-ultimately-strengthen-xi-and-chinese
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Fight for Indian fighter jet market at the cost of sound acquisition policy & resources. Let alone, ethics of selling to an extremist Government in a country full of armed conflict and poverty. US considers export licence for its F-15 fighters to #India. https://www.defenceaviationpost.com/2020/03/f-15-offer-could-disrupt-indian-fighter-contest/
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Report on Dutch participation in African #Flintlock (not an operation, but exercise) in weekly of Dutch MoD. Reports on training of #Senegalese Forces Special de Mer by Dutch and Austrian #MARSOF and use of OPVs. Also on deployment of Dutch C-130 Hercules. https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2020/09/04-_flintlock_09
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2 x ship-killing (and sailors) missiles: To combat #China threat, US Marine Corps declares ship-killing missile systems its top priority defensenews.com/naval/2020/03/It's not only the US, because, Europe ship-killing #missile passes first firing trial defensenews.com/global/europe/#armsrace
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‘On marches, I carry a fisherman’s stool so I always have something to sit on.’ 'Oldest protester' of the UK tells his story of 7 decades of actions for food to German children, the environment, refugees, climate policy and against arms trade. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/mar/06/experience-ive-been-protesting-for-seven-decades
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#CANSEC, the largest N-American arms #fair, will bring together arms manufacturers, ministers, government officials, soldiers and delegates from 55 countries. The exhibitors manufacture warships, combat vehicles, fighter jets, bombs, bullets and missiles. https://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/brent-patterson/2020/03/business-booming-canadas-largest-arms-fair-comes-ottawa
March 6
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Lange wurde verhandelt, nun steht es fest: die Kieler Werft #Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (#TKMS) wird vier neue Schiffe für die brasilianische Marine bauen. Das gab TKMS am Donnerstagabend bekannt. 4 #German#corvettes for #Brazil. https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/TKMS-bekommt-Zuschlag-fuer-vier-neue-Korvetten,tkms140.html
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#Croatia supports the original amount of € 13 billion instead of current proposal of €7 billion which is currently foreseen for the European Defence Fund #EDF. At the cost of what is not reported. https://www.total-croatia-news.com/politics/41890-defence-industry
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#UK MoD is to review its handling of UK's #arms industry in the hope of improving investment in the sector. The Government has faced criticism over claims that lack of consistent or long-term policy, combined with buying abroad has led to a "hollowing out"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2020/03/05/markets-live-latest-news-pound-euro-ftse-100-latest-updates/
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The Special Fraud Office #SFO can be pleased with itself over the #Airbus settlement, which swelled the Treasury coffers and showed what can be achieved through int. co-operation. But it also must hold to account those who are guilty of wrongdoing. ccrmagazine.com/the-serious-fr
March 5
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#Turkse wapenindustrie is geen mirakel, maar het gevolg van #NAVO-beleid. De Turkse overheid speelt een steeds dominantere rol in conflicten in het Midden-Oosten. Wapens die ze daarvoor tot haar beschikking heeft, zijn vaak gebouwd op Westerse kennis. http://www.hetgrotemiddenoostenplatform.nl/turkse-wapenindustrie-is-geen-mirakel-maar-het-gevolg-van-navo-beleid/?fbclid=IwAR22MA8ejklalhizcJmfxul-KfYAsI0xAT5EkGI_PMpA-Hs1xP4lPtGIbOc
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Airbus is – like many military companies – prone to corruption. It is 26 per cent state-owned. READ BLOG ON stopwapenhandel.org/node/2382
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Questions by Nl. MPs
and
on #Bahri Yanbu. When the ship should've asked for permission to use a #Dutch port to transit military products, permission would've been refused by authorities, Minister of FA answered (no. 6) [Dutch] tweedekamer.nl/downloads/docu
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Turkey stood up its drone industry and developed those military drones for export. Those drones, like the Bayraktar, have been explored to Ukraine and Libya. Turkey has even reached out to Ukraine for engines to power a long-range drone.
https://www.c4isrnet.com/unmanned/2020/03/04/turkeys-drones-are-battle-tested-and-ready-for-export/
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Met op de achtergrond de 1e MQ-9 die boven Afghanistan vloog. Het was één van de drie oorspronkelijke prototypes, heeft in vier jaar tijd maar liefst 3,266 combat hours gevlogen
en hangt sinds mei 2009 in het
Dominic Raab (First Secretary of State a UK honorary title) urged by campaigners to call for an end to the ongoing conflict in Yemen and implement an immediate embargo on sales of British arms to Riyadh amid a deepening humanitarian crisis. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/dominic-raab-saudi-arabia-arms-sales-riyadh-visit-a9374436.html
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Simon Black is founder of Labour Agains the Arms Trade. Scott Neigh interviews him about #Canada’s involvement in arms production and about his group’s work within the labour movement to oppose the sale of Light Armoured Vehicles to Saudi Arabia. talkingradical.ca/2020/03/03/trr
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The global spread of the #coronavirus is impacting work at two key nodes in the global supply chain of the #F35 (#Japan, #Italy), a top Pentagon official revealed Wednesday. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2020/03/04/coronavirus-fears-cause-halt-at-japan-italy-f-35-facilities/
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UK Arms fair brings human rights abusing regimes and dealers together. “It’s not just time to shut down arms fairs like Security and Policing, it’s also time to end the foreign policy and political mindset that allows them to happen in the first place.” https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/arms-fair-brings-human-rights-abusing-regimes-and-dealers-together
March 4
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Most expensive weapon program ever, still pestered with failures. Who cares? Nearly all the #engines ordered for the next-generation #F35 jet were delivered late last year as the #PrattandWhitney unit of United Technologies Corp. #UT struggled to solve it. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-03/nearly-all-the-f-35-jet-engines-ordered-last-year-arrived-late
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Essay on #Raytheon in #Fife, Scotland, can be summarised by a gesture—2 upturned palms. It provides the last, best jobs in a town. It does so through providing the technology that ends up being used to cause the deaths of many civilians 5,000 miles away. https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/magazine/raytheon-glenrothes-britain-arms-saudi-arabia
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Standing #NATO Maritime Group 2 #SNMG2 present in #Mediterranean to watch Russian submarine activity (no threat) in the Eastern Med, instability in #Syria and #Libya, as well as controlling the flow of #migrants& illicit traffic. news.usni.org/2020/03/03/nat#Refugees
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US is willing to supply Turkey with military aid in its fight against Syria, White House says - "We're willing to provide—for example, the President [Donald Trump] mentioned this—ammunition"https://www.newsweek.com/us-willing-supply-turkey-fight-syria-1490293
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Picturing the #ArmsIndustry. More politically dependent than almost all other industries, arms manufacturers play for keeps in #Ottawa (& elsewhere). They target ads & events sponsorships at decision makers while hiring insiders & military stars to #lobby. https://dissidentvoice.org/2020/03/arms-manufacturers-play-for-keeps-in-ottawa/
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French press interested in Dutch naval shipbuilding capacity. Here on the new supply ship (nouveau ravitailleur de la marine néerlandaise). It will have to do with the fight for orders between Dutch Damen and the naval Group. https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/den-helder-le-futur-ravitailleur-de-la-marine-neerlandaise
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#Turkish#drone use "marks the culmination of years of investment and evolution for Turkey, whose military has become one of the most experienced users of drones. (...) it has used them extensively against its own citizens. Ankara claimed it has killed... https://www.france24.com/en/20200303-turkey-s-drones-provide-crucial-edge-in-syria
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#Rheinmetall is #Germany's largest military manufacturer of growing importance. Its books are full of contracts. As an internationally active systems supplier, the Group benefits "from the 'super-cycle' in the defence technology business". It wants more. https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article206271503/Rheinmetall-Groesster-deutscher-Ruestungskonzern-profitiert-vom-Super-Zyklus.html
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ilMilitary business is a costly affair, also in #SouthAfrica. Major weapon manufacturer, #Denel, got a cash injection to keep business afloat. R500 million (€29m) cash injection for Denel
2020 BUDGET REVIEW: http://www.treasury.gov.za/documents/National%20Budget/2020/review/FullBR.pdf
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Chinese #military puts joint drills on hold to fight #coronavirus battle. Annual exercise in Inner Mongolia disrupted as crisis in Wuhan makes it too risky to transport troops. But patrols in East and South #China seas will go ahead as usual, observers say Chinese #military puts joint drills on hold to fight #coronavirus battle. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3064659/chinese-military-puts-joint-drills-hold-fight-coronavirus
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Barriers between #China and #EU remain to sustainable cooperation that will need to be addressed between them moving forward. #SIPRI outlines a number of those security concerns from the EU perspective, within the transport and digital sectors specifically https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2020-03/sipriinsight2003_0.pdf
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Conflicting Laws. It can be challenging to justify US #ITAR screenings under the EU General Data Protection Regulation #GDPR, which furthers a historical tension between EU privacy law & US export control law. Article on how this was worked out in #Sweden. https://iapp.org/news/a/reconciling-us-export-control-law-and-swedish-privacy-law/
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Dutch arms trader Guus van #Kouwenhoven, got a nineteen year sentence because of war crimes. He delivered arms to the notoriously known Charles Taylor of #Liberia, but still lives in his golden cage in South Africa.
#NRC visited him. [Dutch] https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2020/03/03/guus-kouwenhoven-kreeg-negentien-jaar-cel-maar-kan-rustig-verder-leven-in-zijn-gouden-kooi-a3992447
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The #Qatari government announced March 3 that the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference, or #DIMDEX, is now canceled as the region combats the spread of the new #coronavirus known as COVID-19. https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2020/03/03/qatar-cancels-major-defense-trade-conference-as-coronavirus-fears-spread/#armsfair
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A bipartisan coalition of Wisconsin legislators sent a letter to President Trump pressing him to direct a lucrative #US Navy #frigate construction to #Fincantieri Marinette Marine, which is competing with Bath Iron Works; Austal USA; & Huntington Ingalls. https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2020/03/03/legislators-press-trump-to-push-frigate-deal-to-marinette/
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#Swiss firms exported more arms last year than the previous year, ¾ to other European countries. Swiss manufacturers delivered weapons to a value of CHF728m (€682m) to 71 countries in 2019, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs #SECO said Tuesday. https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/weapons_big-increase-in-swiss-arms-exports-for-2019/45592712
March 3
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A group of liberal senators, including Sens. Bernie #Sanders, D-Vt., and Elizabeth #Warren, D-Mass, want the Trump administration not to strip #LaborRights from civilian #DoD employees. https://www.federaltimes.com/congress/2020/03/02/sanders-warren-urge-dod-to-save-union-protections/
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Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission #EFCC investigates #corruption of a trader and in #Nigerian army during the supply of arms and ammunition, provision of logistics items and equipment to the Nigerian contingents in peace keeping missions. https://thewillnigeria.com/news/efcc-investigates-oghiadomhe-kwankwaso-kayode-over-n35bn-defence-contracts/
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According to Pentagon #Georgia will receive a new batch of #Javelin missiles. civil.ge/archives/340568 Australia, Czechia, Estonia, France, Indonesia, Ireland, Jordan, Lithuania, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Qatar, #Turkey, Ukraine & #UAE are also customers. https://t.co/jcPYhHKqSp?amp=1
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Military spending ‘is diverting much-needed resources from tackling unfolding climate catastrophe,’ says CAAT report https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/military-spending-diverting-much-needed-resources-tackling-unfolding-climate
March 2
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#Lockheed Martin received a sale contract from the #UAE Air Force and Air Defence #AFAD for expedited delivery of Sniper Advanced #Targeting Pods #ATP, spares and upgrades. This contract marks the first integration of Sniper ATP on the #Mirage aircraft. https://t.co/XgX73MmjWU?amp=1
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The 2020 edition of the International Exhibition for National Security and Resilience (#ISNR#AbuDhabi), is emphasising artificial intelligence #AI, as it has become an accelerator in the identification and adoption of disruptive innovations ... https://t.co/5dlUC22y3K?amp=1
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France's major defense companies are looking back at a strong 2019, thanks to a combination of exceptional contracts and the country's overall healthy economy, executives said this week. https://t.co/DNI6AtQXxR?amp=1
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Despite a weapons embargo, some countries are continuing to send weapons to war-torn Libya. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas threatened these countries with "consequences."https://t.co/mxZZNjkc3B?amp=1
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#Semiconductors are basic components in many modern weapons systems. A recent international move was apparently aimed at curbing the proliferation of military technology to prevent it from #leaking to states like China, North Korea and Iran.i-hls.com/archives/99301#armscontrol
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I was arrested for ‘breaching the peace’…while #protesting against the #arms#trade. Asking difficult questions is not a criminal offence. But the criminalisation of protest continues, writes Symon Hill. https://t.co/R1J88KxFsb?amp=1
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India buys almost half of Israel’s arms exports. Arms sales finance Israeli occupation & apartheid, and India-Israel military collaboration fuels militarization in Kashmir & elsewhere, creating a logic of ‘perpetual insecurity.’ #MilitaryEmbargo Report:bit.ly/38AjNOo
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The US State Department approved a Foreign Military Sale #FMS to the #Netherlands of sixteen MK-48 Mod 7 Advanced Technology (AT) #torpedo conversion kits and related equipment for an estimated cost of $85 million. https://t.co/HhaUVeJXEL?amp=1
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#DARPA says #Atmosphere as a Sensor (AtmoSense) program is meant to detect natural disasters such as hurricanes and asteroid strikes. But DARPA is the US military research organization, which raises the question of what else this research can be used for. https://t.co/juukc4ZApV?amp=1
March 10
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Arms exports to the Middle East progress, France 3rd world exporter and major exporter to what was called previously the Third World. fr24news.com/u/2020/03/arms
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Saudi Arabia increases world arms purchases despite Yemen crisis, the London Times headlines. But remarkably also despite all arms control regimes established since mid-nineties (EU-code, ATT etc.) I may add.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/saudi-arabia-increases-world-arms-purchases-despite-yemen-crisis-x6psz2tth
***
Research by Mark Curtis revealed consistent examples of “under- or un-reported” #UK foreign policy issues – particularly in the Middle East. This frequently occurs in countries where the UK has significant “military, trade & investment” deals with regimes.https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2020/03/09/heres-how-the-uk-press-is-deceiving-us-about-our-brutal-foreign-policy/
March 9
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Belgian court suspends arms export licence for weapons to Saudi Arabia raadvst-consetat.be/?page=news&lan
***
Belangrijke overwinning: Raad van State schorst vergunningen voor wapenuitvoer naar Saudi-Arabië! Dit arrest maakt duidelijk dat de overheid economische & politieke belangen niet mag laten primeren op het internationaal recht en de mensenrechten. https://www.knack.be/nieuws/belgie/raad-van-state-schorst-vergunningen-voor-wapenuitvoer-naar-saudi-arabie/article-news-1574085.html?cookie_check=1583836125
***
Export of #Dutch military communication equipment for end destination #Qatar, valued € 8.525.000. They will be delivered to #Ficantieri, (https://navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/naval-exhibitions/2018/dimdex-2018/6044-dimdex-2018-fincantieri-unveils-qatari-navy-air-defense-corvette-design.html) where they will be installed at #naval patrol vessels, corvettes & a Landing Platform Dock. rijksoverheid.nl/binaries/rijks
***
Dutch #arms#export policy on #Turkey stays restrictive as decided (25/11/19) after the Turkish invasion into Northern Syria. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/kamerstukken/2020/03/09/kamerbrief-inzake-toetsing-aangescherpt-wapenexportbeleid-turkije
***
British Arms Sales Aiding Repression in Chile. In light of the continued repression and crackdown in the country, the UK government must end arms sales to Chile https://bylinetimes.com/2020/03/09/british-arms-sales-aiding-repression-in-chile/
***
Latest diesel-electric attack submarine Ouryu into Japanes service home based in port of Kure. It is the 6th Soryu-class boat to be built by #Mitsubishi Heavy Industries #MHI, with #Kawasaki Heavy #Industries. #Japan. https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2020/03/06/japan-commissions-its-first-submarine-running-on-lithium-ion-batteries/
***
Dutch Royals to sell warships in Indonesia. Major part of Indonesian navy is build on Dutch vessels and/or tech. Royal Pair refused so far to visit RI August, 17th (independence declared 17/8/45. Nl accepted it after War of independence finally 27/12/49) https://en.antaranews.com/news/143130/indonesia-should-not-ignore-netherlands-in-warship-procurement
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#GKN (#Dutch#Fokker is part of) expects defence could become a more significant part of the sales mix as rising global military spending underpins demand. https://www.investorschronicle.co.uk/tips-ideas/2020/03/06/melrose-s-gkn-transformation-pays-off/
***
Brazilian and US governments signed on Sunday an agreement for development of defence projects that may give #Brazil access to financing. Companies may request financing from the #US defense research fund and brings it more under US dominance. #Huawei#5G https://www.brecorder.com/2020/03/09/578247/brazil-us-sign-agreement-to-develop-defence-technology-brazil/
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Its just a empty call, but it tells about #Indian government. Indian Defence minister asked for more participation of the private sector in defence tech to realise India as a $5 trillion economy by 2024. Military investments are about power, not economy. https://orissadiary.com/5-trillion-economy-target-can-be-achieved-through-increased-private-sector-participation-in-defence-manufacturing-says-defense-minister-rajnath-singh/
***
Qatar hosts “Impregnable Guard 2020,” a military exercise that seeks to strengthen military cooperation between #Morocco, Jordan, #Turkey, Pakistan, Oman, US, #France, and Rwanda etc. The exercise is also part of the preparations 4 World Cup #qatar2022 https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/03/295369/morocco-to-participate-in-impregnable-guard-2020-exercise-in-qatar/
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Scottish Enterprise funded radar tech marketed to world's cruelest regimes The Osprey 30 is used in military helicopters, calling into question claims by the Scottish Government that it only awards grants to arms firms to make non-military products.
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scottish-enterprise-funded-radar-tech-21652477
***
Main arms exporters: 4 EU countries among ten largest. 8 EU countries among 25 largest. sipri.org/sites/default/
***
Who were the five largest arms importers in 2015–19? 1) Saudi Arabia
2) India
3) Egypt
4) Australia
5) China
Together, they received 36% of all arms imports in 2015–19. Read more about the trends in international #ArmsTransfers https://www.sipri.org/publications/2020/sipri-fact-sheets/trends-international-arms-transfers-2019
***
US major arms exports have increased 23% over the last 5 years, according to a new report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's 2019 arms transfers report #SIPRI.
https://www.newsweek.com/us-increased-major-arms-exports-23-percent-five-years-report-sipri-1490896
March 8
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The #French government is set to veto the proposed sale of #Photonis to US engineering firm #Teledyne Technologies Inc, motivated by a decision to prevent a foreign buyer from acquiring a business of such sovereign importance #Optech#ImageIntensifiers https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/vente-de-photonis-l-etat-francais-met-son-veto-a-l-americain-teledyne-841220.html
March 7
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What is that Saudi RoRo vessel doing in the harbour of Sagunto (near Valencia)?
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'The capacity to launch drone strikes is hardly limited to superpowers. Turkey’s drone program has developed several armed drones that are rough analogs to American-operated models.'https://www.c4isrnet.com/unmanned/2020/03/04/turkeys-drones-are-battle-tested-and-ready-for-export/
The engine is based on Thielert Centurion engine. Knowledge came from China and Germany. tapatalk.com/groups/worldar
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THE LIBYAN CONUNDRUM, a short overview of European and UN policy on the country, split by political opponents and pestered with violence. https://ipisresearch.be/publication/arms-trade-bulletin-january-february-2020/
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Centre Delàs d'Estudis per la Pau report on the annual meeting of #ENAAT (the European network against the arms trade) that took place in Amsterdam on the 27th and 28th of February. #Yemen#GCOMS#BAHRI-ships http://www.centredelas.org/en/press/news/4247-the-delas-centre-participates-in-the-annual-meeting-of-the-european-network-against-the-arms-trade-enaat
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#Coronavirus crisis will ultimately strengthen Xi Jinping and Chinese Communist Party #CCP despite economic turmoil, US analysts say ‘The state expands to deal with the crisis and then remains at a new expanded level even after the crisis fades away’ https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3071170/coronavirus-will-ultimately-strengthen-xi-and-chinese
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Fight for Indian fighter jet market at the cost of sound acquisition policy & resources. Let alone, ethics of selling to an extremist Government in a country full of armed conflict and poverty. US considers export licence for its F-15 fighters to #India. https://www.defenceaviationpost.com/2020/03/f-15-offer-could-disrupt-indian-fighter-contest/
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Report on Dutch participation in African #Flintlock (not an operation, but exercise) in weekly of Dutch MoD. Reports on training of #Senegalese Forces Special de Mer by Dutch and Austrian #MARSOF and use of OPVs. Also on deployment of Dutch C-130 Hercules. https://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2020/09/04-_flintlock_09
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2 x ship-killing (and sailors) missiles: To combat #China threat, US Marine Corps declares ship-killing missile systems its top priority defensenews.com/naval/2020/03/It's not only the US, because, Europe ship-killing #missile passes first firing trial defensenews.com/global/europe/#armsrace
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‘On marches, I carry a fisherman’s stool so I always have something to sit on.’ 'Oldest protester' of the UK tells his story of 7 decades of actions for food to German children, the environment, refugees, climate policy and against arms trade. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/mar/06/experience-ive-been-protesting-for-seven-decades
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#CANSEC, the largest N-American arms #fair, will bring together arms manufacturers, ministers, government officials, soldiers and delegates from 55 countries. The exhibitors manufacture warships, combat vehicles, fighter jets, bombs, bullets and missiles. https://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/brent-patterson/2020/03/business-booming-canadas-largest-arms-fair-comes-ottawa
March 6
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Lange wurde verhandelt, nun steht es fest: die Kieler Werft #Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (#TKMS) wird vier neue Schiffe für die brasilianische Marine bauen. Das gab TKMS am Donnerstagabend bekannt. 4 #German#corvettes for #Brazil. https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/TKMS-bekommt-Zuschlag-fuer-vier-neue-Korvetten,tkms140.html
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#Croatia supports the original amount of € 13 billion instead of current proposal of €7 billion which is currently foreseen for the European Defence Fund #EDF. At the cost of what is not reported. https://www.total-croatia-news.com/politics/41890-defence-industry
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SABER Investment Company and #Estonian#Milrem Robotics collaborate in development of robotic ground systems, in to fulfill requirements of customers in the #UAE. The agreement forms a basis to further develop busisness 4 Estonian defence industry in #UAE.https://www.logisticsmiddleeast.com/business/35306-saber-investment-company-llc-and-milrem-robotics-collaborate-to-develop-unmanned-ground-systems-for-the-united-arab
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#UK MoD is to review its handling of UK's #arms industry in the hope of improving investment in the sector. The Government has faced criticism over claims that lack of consistent or long-term policy, combined with buying abroad has led to a "hollowing out"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2020/03/05/markets-live-latest-news-pound-euro-ftse-100-latest-updates/
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The Special Fraud Office #SFO can be pleased with itself over the #Airbus settlement, which swelled the Treasury coffers and showed what can be achieved through int. co-operation. But it also must hold to account those who are guilty of wrongdoing. ccrmagazine.com/the-serious-fr
March 5
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#Turkse wapenindustrie is geen mirakel, maar het gevolg van #NAVO-beleid. De Turkse overheid speelt een steeds dominantere rol in conflicten in het Midden-Oosten. Wapens die ze daarvoor tot haar beschikking heeft, zijn vaak gebouwd op Westerse kennis. http://www.hetgrotemiddenoostenplatform.nl/turkse-wapenindustrie-is-geen-mirakel-maar-het-gevolg-van-navo-beleid/?fbclid=IwAR22MA8ejklalhizcJmfxul-KfYAsI0xAT5EkGI_PMpA-Hs1xP4lPtGIbOc
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Airbus is – like many military companies – prone to corruption. It is 26 per cent state-owned. READ BLOG ON stopwapenhandel.org/node/2382
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Questions by Nl. MPs
and
on #Bahri Yanbu. When the ship should've asked for permission to use a #Dutch port to transit military products, permission would've been refused by authorities, Minister of FA answered (no. 6) [Dutch] tweedekamer.nl/downloads/docu
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Turkey stood up its drone industry and developed those military drones for export. Those drones, like the Bayraktar, have been explored to Ukraine and Libya. Turkey has even reached out to Ukraine for engines to power a long-range drone.
https://www.c4isrnet.com/unmanned/2020/03/04/turkeys-drones-are-battle-tested-and-ready-for-export/
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Met op de achtergrond de 1e MQ-9 die boven Afghanistan vloog. Het was één van de drie oorspronkelijke prototypes, heeft in vier jaar tijd maar liefst 3,266 combat hours gevlogen
en hangt sinds mei 2009 in het
@AFmuseum
Gisteren en vandaag heeft PC-LSK samen met het leiderschap van NLR en TNO een bezoek gebracht aan het US Air Force Research Lab. in Dayton Ohio. De vooruitzichten voor vruchtbare samenwerking zijn positief! https://twitter.com/Bertil08361075/status/1234959738435178499
***Gisteren en vandaag heeft PC-LSK samen met het leiderschap van NLR en TNO een bezoek gebracht aan het US Air Force Research Lab. in Dayton Ohio. De vooruitzichten voor vruchtbare samenwerking zijn positief! https://twitter.com/Bertil08361075/status/1234959738435178499
Dominic Raab (First Secretary of State a UK honorary title) urged by campaigners to call for an end to the ongoing conflict in Yemen and implement an immediate embargo on sales of British arms to Riyadh amid a deepening humanitarian crisis. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/dominic-raab-saudi-arabia-arms-sales-riyadh-visit-a9374436.html
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Simon Black is founder of Labour Agains the Arms Trade. Scott Neigh interviews him about #Canada’s involvement in arms production and about his group’s work within the labour movement to oppose the sale of Light Armoured Vehicles to Saudi Arabia. talkingradical.ca/2020/03/03/trr
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The global spread of the #coronavirus is impacting work at two key nodes in the global supply chain of the #F35 (#Japan, #Italy), a top Pentagon official revealed Wednesday. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2020/03/04/coronavirus-fears-cause-halt-at-japan-italy-f-35-facilities/
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UK Arms fair brings human rights abusing regimes and dealers together. “It’s not just time to shut down arms fairs like Security and Policing, it’s also time to end the foreign policy and political mindset that allows them to happen in the first place.” https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/arms-fair-brings-human-rights-abusing-regimes-and-dealers-together
March 4
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Most expensive weapon program ever, still pestered with failures. Who cares? Nearly all the #engines ordered for the next-generation #F35 jet were delivered late last year as the #PrattandWhitney unit of United Technologies Corp. #UT struggled to solve it. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-03/nearly-all-the-f-35-jet-engines-ordered-last-year-arrived-late
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Essay on #Raytheon in #Fife, Scotland, can be summarised by a gesture—2 upturned palms. It provides the last, best jobs in a town. It does so through providing the technology that ends up being used to cause the deaths of many civilians 5,000 miles away. https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/magazine/raytheon-glenrothes-britain-arms-saudi-arabia
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Standing #NATO Maritime Group 2 #SNMG2 present in #Mediterranean to watch Russian submarine activity (no threat) in the Eastern Med, instability in #Syria and #Libya, as well as controlling the flow of #migrants& illicit traffic. news.usni.org/2020/03/03/nat#Refugees
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US is willing to supply Turkey with military aid in its fight against Syria, White House says - "We're willing to provide—for example, the President [Donald Trump] mentioned this—ammunition"https://www.newsweek.com/us-willing-supply-turkey-fight-syria-1490293
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Picturing the #ArmsIndustry. More politically dependent than almost all other industries, arms manufacturers play for keeps in #Ottawa (& elsewhere). They target ads & events sponsorships at decision makers while hiring insiders & military stars to #lobby. https://dissidentvoice.org/2020/03/arms-manufacturers-play-for-keeps-in-ottawa/
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French press interested in Dutch naval shipbuilding capacity. Here on the new supply ship (nouveau ravitailleur de la marine néerlandaise). It will have to do with the fight for orders between Dutch Damen and the naval Group. https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/den-helder-le-futur-ravitailleur-de-la-marine-neerlandaise
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#Turkish#drone use "marks the culmination of years of investment and evolution for Turkey, whose military has become one of the most experienced users of drones. (...) it has used them extensively against its own citizens. Ankara claimed it has killed... https://www.france24.com/en/20200303-turkey-s-drones-provide-crucial-edge-in-syria
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#Vietnam asked for #Japan’s help to train technical experts in the defence industry. Vietnam also hoped to learn from Japan’s experience in state management of its military industry in a market economy.https://vietnamnews.vn/politics-laws/652993/top-japanese-officer-visits-viet-nam.html
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#Rheinmetall is #Germany's largest military manufacturer of growing importance. Its books are full of contracts. As an internationally active systems supplier, the Group benefits "from the 'super-cycle' in the defence technology business". It wants more. https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article206271503/Rheinmetall-Groesster-deutscher-Ruestungskonzern-profitiert-vom-Super-Zyklus.html
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ilMilitary business is a costly affair, also in #SouthAfrica. Major weapon manufacturer, #Denel, got a cash injection to keep business afloat. R500 million (€29m) cash injection for Denel
2020 BUDGET REVIEW: http://www.treasury.gov.za/documents/National%20Budget/2020/review/FullBR.pdf
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Chinese #military puts joint drills on hold to fight #coronavirus battle. Annual exercise in Inner Mongolia disrupted as crisis in Wuhan makes it too risky to transport troops. But patrols in East and South #China seas will go ahead as usual, observers say Chinese #military puts joint drills on hold to fight #coronavirus battle. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3064659/chinese-military-puts-joint-drills-hold-fight-coronavirus
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Barriers between #China and #EU remain to sustainable cooperation that will need to be addressed between them moving forward. #SIPRI outlines a number of those security concerns from the EU perspective, within the transport and digital sectors specifically https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2020-03/sipriinsight2003_0.pdf
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Conflicting Laws. It can be challenging to justify US #ITAR screenings under the EU General Data Protection Regulation #GDPR, which furthers a historical tension between EU privacy law & US export control law. Article on how this was worked out in #Sweden. https://iapp.org/news/a/reconciling-us-export-control-law-and-swedish-privacy-law/
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Dutch arms trader Guus van #Kouwenhoven, got a nineteen year sentence because of war crimes. He delivered arms to the notoriously known Charles Taylor of #Liberia, but still lives in his golden cage in South Africa.
#NRC visited him. [Dutch] https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2020/03/03/guus-kouwenhoven-kreeg-negentien-jaar-cel-maar-kan-rustig-verder-leven-in-zijn-gouden-kooi-a3992447
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The #Qatari government announced March 3 that the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference, or #DIMDEX, is now canceled as the region combats the spread of the new #coronavirus known as COVID-19. https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2020/03/03/qatar-cancels-major-defense-trade-conference-as-coronavirus-fears-spread/#armsfair
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A bipartisan coalition of Wisconsin legislators sent a letter to President Trump pressing him to direct a lucrative #US Navy #frigate construction to #Fincantieri Marinette Marine, which is competing with Bath Iron Works; Austal USA; & Huntington Ingalls. https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2020/03/03/legislators-press-trump-to-push-frigate-deal-to-marinette/
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#Swiss firms exported more arms last year than the previous year, ¾ to other European countries. Swiss manufacturers delivered weapons to a value of CHF728m (€682m) to 71 countries in 2019, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs #SECO said Tuesday. https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/weapons_big-increase-in-swiss-arms-exports-for-2019/45592712
March 3
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A group of liberal senators, including Sens. Bernie #Sanders, D-Vt., and Elizabeth #Warren, D-Mass, want the Trump administration not to strip #LaborRights from civilian #DoD employees. https://www.federaltimes.com/congress/2020/03/02/sanders-warren-urge-dod-to-save-union-protections/
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Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission #EFCC investigates #corruption of a trader and in #Nigerian army during the supply of arms and ammunition, provision of logistics items and equipment to the Nigerian contingents in peace keeping missions. https://thewillnigeria.com/news/efcc-investigates-oghiadomhe-kwankwaso-kayode-over-n35bn-defence-contracts/
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According to Pentagon #Georgia will receive a new batch of #Javelin missiles. civil.ge/archives/340568 Australia, Czechia, Estonia, France, Indonesia, Ireland, Jordan, Lithuania, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Qatar, #Turkey, Ukraine & #UAE are also customers. https://t.co/jcPYhHKqSp?amp=1
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Military spending ‘is diverting much-needed resources from tackling unfolding climate catastrophe,’ says CAAT report https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/military-spending-diverting-much-needed-resources-tackling-unfolding-climate
March 2
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#Lockheed Martin received a sale contract from the #UAE Air Force and Air Defence #AFAD for expedited delivery of Sniper Advanced #Targeting Pods #ATP, spares and upgrades. This contract marks the first integration of Sniper ATP on the #Mirage aircraft. https://t.co/XgX73MmjWU?amp=1
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The 2020 edition of the International Exhibition for National Security and Resilience (#ISNR#AbuDhabi), is emphasising artificial intelligence #AI, as it has become an accelerator in the identification and adoption of disruptive innovations ... https://t.co/5dlUC22y3K?amp=1
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France's major defense companies are looking back at a strong 2019, thanks to a combination of exceptional contracts and the country's overall healthy economy, executives said this week. https://t.co/DNI6AtQXxR?amp=1
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Despite a weapons embargo, some countries are continuing to send weapons to war-torn Libya. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas threatened these countries with "consequences."https://t.co/mxZZNjkc3B?amp=1
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#Semiconductors are basic components in many modern weapons systems. A recent international move was apparently aimed at curbing the proliferation of military technology to prevent it from #leaking to states like China, North Korea and Iran.i-hls.com/archives/99301#armscontrol
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I was arrested for ‘breaching the peace’…while #protesting against the #arms#trade. Asking difficult questions is not a criminal offence. But the criminalisation of protest continues, writes Symon Hill. https://t.co/R1J88KxFsb?amp=1
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India buys almost half of Israel’s arms exports. Arms sales finance Israeli occupation & apartheid, and India-Israel military collaboration fuels militarization in Kashmir & elsewhere, creating a logic of ‘perpetual insecurity.’ #MilitaryEmbargo Report:bit.ly/38AjNOo
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The US State Department approved a Foreign Military Sale #FMS to the #Netherlands of sixteen MK-48 Mod 7 Advanced Technology (AT) #torpedo conversion kits and related equipment for an estimated cost of $85 million. https://t.co/HhaUVeJXEL?amp=1
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#DARPA says #Atmosphere as a Sensor (AtmoSense) program is meant to detect natural disasters such as hurricanes and asteroid strikes. But DARPA is the US military research organization, which raises the question of what else this research can be used for. https://t.co/juukc4ZApV?amp=1